Painting The Closet Doors In A Bedroom

The right color has the potential to make a dramatic effect on the look and feel of a room.

Whether you're adding a splash of color to a new home, or looking for an inexpensive way to update the bedroom interior, a fresh coat of paint will improve the look and mood of a room. Functional closet doors can double as a decorative element to any bedroom and when it comes to the bedroom, homeowners have more wiggle room to be creative because only a few close friends will ever see this personal space. The technique used to paint your closet doors depends on the effect you're going for.

Instructions

1. Paint the closet doors with an accent color. Keep in mind that pastels and neutrals make a room feel larger and create a more peaceful space. These colors also match most decorative styles. Bright, happy colors work well in kids' bedrooms, while sensual, deep browns and burgundies are more appropriate for the master bedroom. Match the door with a soft pillow, a comfortable chair, or a luxuriant bedspread in a similar shade to help the closet color blend with the rest of the room.

2. Paint flat closet doors in the kid's bedroom with chalkboard or magnetic paint. Measure the surface of each door and purchase enough paint to coat twice. Stir the bucket of magnetic paint frequently to keep the iron in the mixture from settling to the bottom. Use a regular paint brush to paint side to side and then from top to bottom. Use the same technique to transform a closet door into a chalkboard. Kids can hang pictures, create chalk art and spell words with magnet letters. Who needs paper and crayons?

3. Update paneled closet doors with a combination of two colors. Paint the outside paneling the same color as the bedroom trim, but choose a darker color to paint the inside paneling. This is a two-part project that requires the outer paneling to dry before taping it off to paint the inner paneling. The result is worth the time and patience required. It is best to cover paneled closet doors with a clear commercial sealant to prevent chipping or wear.

4. Stencil closet doors with flowers, cars, letters or any other design if you don't want to commit to an all-over paint job. Stencils are sold in most home improvement stores but savvy decorators can cut their own from a sheet of plastic and a sharp craft knife. Use a damp sponge, a small roller or a stencil brush and stencil paint to mark identical patterns around the side, or cover the entire door for a wallpaper effect.

5. Don't shy from creating a scene or a mural on closet doors in the bedroom. Paint closet doors with a flat, neutral-color paint and using a pencil and an overhead projector in a dimly lit room, trace the outline of rolling waves, a mountain scene, the solar system or any picture that transforms the bedroom into a more personal space. Ask an artistic friend to help fill the outline in with paint.